Tuesday, January 1, 2008

So many people these days want a magic bullet to lose weight, actually fervently pray for such a thing. Unfortunately, there really is NO magic bullet for weight loss, other than good old hard work to make it happen. No matter what else you choose to do, you still need to change your eating habits, and increase your exercise. Why are these natural remedies for losing weight so popular?

There are numerous reasons why the natural weight loss industry does a booming business every year. Over weight and obese people want something they can lose weight with immediately. It's easier that doing the grunt work. They have decided they don't want to be fat any longer and want instant results. They may have tried other weight loss avenues and given up. Herbal remedies are easy to obtain without a prescription. They appeal to people because of the outrageous claims made about weight loss. People think natural can't hurt you and that natural means safe - and it doesn't.

Hundreds of weight loss products have soluble fiber in them, meaning in theory, the fiber will absorb water in your gut, decreasing your appetite, making you feel full and not eat as much. Guar gum (from the cluster bean Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) is one of these fibers used as a natural remedy for losing weight. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. Normally, you would find this thickening agent in foods, dairy products, sauces and ice cream. Used in food it is quite easy for the body to assimilate it. Used in diet concotions, that is another kettle of fish.

Since it is capable of sweeling up to 10 to 20 times in the stomach when taken with fluids, it is supposed to make you feel full, cut your appetite, making you eat less, and thus losing weight. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of esophageal blockages with this product. Like Glocomannan, Guar gum has also led to gastrointestinal obstructions. Research indicates that this product was banned in the US in over-the-counter natural remedies for losing weight in the late 1980s. In addition, Guar gum was also proved ineffective in losing weight. However, with the exploding weight loss market, always be sure to read labels before you buy something. You will find that many things are called by other names and if you do not know what they are, you could buy something that will either by a waste of your money, or cause you more problems than you ever wanted.